Vehicle Description
Today, the C5 Corvette still represents a ton of performance for
the money, and this 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is about as
clean and dialed-in you'll ever see at this price point. The color
combination is a favorite classic and extremely appealing, the 5.7L
LS1 is dripping in chrome and runs great, and the miles are low
enough that this droptop is going to be dominating the streets for
a very long time.
Arctic White was a staple color during C5 production, and when
coupled with chrome rims and an elegant light-colored interior,
there's not a better color combination for my money. White is one
of the quintessential shades for the Corvette (and in fact, the
original color for the first-ever C1s), regardless of generation it
looks fantastic on the dynamic bodywork, and when coated on a
droptop it always brings the attention of everyone near it. C5
workmanship was always quite good, and this one looks fantastic
thanks to conscientious owners who always kept it garaged and
protected and covered in multiple coats of wax. With only 96,634
original miles, it was never a daily driver in the last 23 years
and the low mileage shouldn't be viewed as a lack of use but rather
careful use only when conditions were right. Then again, it's not
like it just sat in the garage all-day either, with an average of
4K miles a year means that this convertible was mostly a weekend
car that was likely only driven in the sunshine. It has never been
hit or repainted (confirmed by the Autocheck Vehicle History Report
that shows it as a 4-owner car that mostly lived in FL and TX),
there are almost no rock chips on the nose, and panel fit is quite
excellent. Really, other than light swirls and very fine scratches
here and there that were accrued from almost 25 years of washing
and waxing this car (all of which should be easily buffed out),
there are no real imperfections to speak of. And because it has had
almost zero modifications and always been in warm states, you'll be
hard-pressed to find a nicer one at this price point.
The Light Oak leather interior is a wonderful complement to the
Arctic White paint, sophisticated and elegant instead of brash and
bright. The super-clean interior really showcases the fact that the
Corvette is a great grand touring car with a lot of style, and with
custom Ostrich leather inserts inside the bucket seats, the
complementing door panels, and the shifter boot, this droptop's
interior really is a looker. A thick-rimmed steering wheel anchors
the cockpit, and the two-tone theme of the interior really drives
the point home that this is luxury sports car. It's also loaded
with just about every available option, including the power sport
seats, dual airbags, dual zone climate control, and a powerful
stereo system. The 4-speed automatic transmission was standard and
is fitted inside the center console that is also adorned with
wood-grain accents. There are also dashboard wood appliques that
further the luxurious feel inside and although the upholstery isn't
perfect, it's in very good shape with most of the minor wear
concentrated on the seat's bolsters. The tan carpets are plush and
also show very limited wear thanks to the protection of heavy-duty
black mats, and if we had to pick, we'd keep that white power
convertible top down and tucked behind the seats and under the boot
at all times. The trunk is also beautifully finished and exactly
the way the factory built it, with black-and-tan carpets and
storage compartments underneath the panels.
Chevy's legendary 5.7L LS1 V8 was the only engine you could get in
your C5, and with 345HP at the ready, we think that's just fine.
The 346 cubic inch LS1 engine needs no introduction, although it's
somewhat disguised under all that killer dress-up gear., with
chrome, black, and red accents really spicing things up under the
hood. In the years since its introduction, these engines have
proven to be incredibly reliable and durable, and there's a huge
variety of aftermarket performance parts available for them.
Fortunately, this one has led an easy life and still carries its
factory-spec performance components, further suggesting that it
hasn't been raced or abused. But even in stock form, the LS1 is a
formidable performer, even today, and the flexible power band makes
it a joy to drive in traffic or on the open road. The standard
4-speed automatic transmission is sportier than most, so this white
'Vette is snappy around town, yet the tall gearing makes it a
superlative highway cruiser. The throaty exhaust system has been
upgraded with Borla Stinger mufflers that sound fantastic, and it's
so clean underneath that you have to wonder if this car has ever
seen the rain. Chrome Z06-style wheels are still a clean design
that looks great today, and they are the perfect choice to chow off
the red calipers and drilled and slotted rotors just beyond them.
The stance is just perfect, and the main reason so many fall in
love with the C5, further enhanced by the staggered 245/45/17 front
and 275/45/18 performance radials tucked into the wheel wells.
C5 Corvettes aren't just great cars, they're incredible bargains,
too. If you want one that's been gently used but will still stand
out from the crowd, this is an awesome choice. Call today!
